Ashland, KY vs Mount Sterling, KY

Ashland, KY and Mount Sterling, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Ashland scores 67 while Mount Sterling scores 64 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashland is $859/month compared to $564/month in Mount Sterling — a 52% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Sterling has cheaper rent, Ashland actually has lower median home values ($125,300 vs $178,200).

Median household income in Ashland is $52,199 compared to $50,843 in Mount Sterling (+2.7%). The higher salaries in Ashland partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashland spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, more than the 13.3% in Mount Sterling.